title: Medicinal leech therapy in pain syndromes: a narrative review.
abstract: Medicinal leech therapy is used in a variety of conditions; most of which have pain as a major symptom. Its mode of action relies on the injection of leech saliva into patients' tissues during the process of blood withdrawal. Leech saliva contains active ingredients with anti-inflammatory, thrombolytic, anti-coagulant and blood- and lymph-circulation enhancing properties. A specific analgesic substance within the leech saliva is yet to be identified. Pain relief from leech therapy is rapid, effective and long-lasting in many conditions. This review compiles studies and case reports that provide clinical evidence for leech therapy's analgesic effects.
authors.affiliation: Biebertaler Blutegelzucht GmbH, Talweg 31, 35444, Biebertal, Germany, koeppen@blutegel.de.
authors.forename: Detlev
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Koeppen
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aurich
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rampp
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004487:Edema / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006406:Hematoma / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007865:Leeches / Q000502:physiology; D024763:Leeching / Q000379:methods*; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D013716:Tennis Elbow / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy